(very) cheap runaround suggestions

[sparks]

Hi all,
I may need a very verycheap runaround in the new year, and have two general options:
Reliable (if boring) jap/german (eg corolla/golf)
or
metro GTi 16v

Before anyone laughs at the metro, I am seriously considering building a GTM libra, and the metro is the donor.

So the question is, any recommendations as to cheap reliable 'a to b' cars if I decide against the GTM?

Thanks

Sparks

[VTECDave]

My mate runs a little Metro Gta which I've decided is a homing car because it is always back at the garage. Therefore I can't think that a GTI is going to be much better.

Stick with the VW idea. A good mkII 1.6 Golf Driver or GL should be solid and reliable and much more exciting than a Corolla when pushed.

[domster]

...Or get yourself a big ol' Vauxhall Senator - 600 quid gets you a choice, and the 12v 3.0 is fast and unburstable - nails Metro Gtis, but a bit of an old man's barge.

[jaydee]

Ruinous insurance if Sparks is young though. Briefly owned a Mk2 Golf Driver at uni. If you find a good un (and there are enough about) they are getting on for as well built/comfortable/reliable as a new car. Nothing that needs checking beyond usual old car issues and a good one should give change from £1500 mine had ratty paintwork and was £450. I tarted it up and sold it later for £1k... Metro GTi is irredemably vile in every respect ! Parents had one when they were new as a school run car. I spent a lot of my childhood rattling around in the back of a Landy because of it

[si b.]

As the pround owner of a Griff 500 and mint Corrado VR6, I too recently had the dilema of do I rag either of my two babies through our crappy winter. Plus I've been doing a whole bunch of building work and the prospect of transporting rubble in either of them was not the most attractive proposition..........So armed with a copy of Auto Trader I embarked on a winter hack purchase.

2 miles from home and.......

H-Reg 2.0i GL Cavalier saloon - 2 owners, service history, 96k, taxed and tested for 5 months.........£400....Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!

The bleeding thing has paid for itself already in savings on Corrado bodywork from gits smashing doors into it in the B&Q carpark!!!!

It's so nice to drive a car that I simply don't give a toss about! It's a bit of a gippo's car (sorry to any Romany folk tuning in) but at £400? you can't go wrong!

Have fun,

Si

[sparks]

Thanks people,

I've had a golf driver in the past, so that may well be the best option.
Not too keen on barges, and I would go for a saab 9000 if I did.

Thanks again

Sparks

[S2 Giles]

Not that I particularly like it...but for a genuine bargain I have seen lots of 95-97 Daewoo cars about for £800 upwards. reliable and cheap to run, just questionable fun factor

Giles

[Gasblaster]

My other half used to have a Metro Gti. Very nippy in town, but scarier that than Mad Jack McScary on the motorway. Used to try to change lanes of its own accord and needed lightning reflexes just to keep it in a straight line. I drove it once and then made her get rid of it pdq. Swapped it for an MX 5 which in spite of what PW says is a fine sportscar.

[Nightmare]

I have just become the very proud owner of a G reg, 88,000 mile Citroen AX 1.0 Splash! It cost a heady £200 (has 12 months MOT and 8 tax tho)

Its just astoundingly awful - but as Si says its great not having to care.

Have decided over X-mas to get it 'ruded, phatted and sadded' up - to see what I can get done by mates for nothing! So far - have set of alloys and shocks for free and can get that window tint stuff for nothing too! It's gonna be tragic

Sparks - get something very cheap and just throw it away when it breaks would be my advice...